Exhibit 99.11


                            CONSENT OF MERRILL LYNCH





         We hereby consent to the use of our opinion letter dated May 1, 2002 to
the Board of Directors of Interstate Hotels Corporation included as Appendix F
to the Joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus which forms a part of the
Registration Statement on Form S-4 relating to the proposed merger of Interstate
Hotels Corporation with and into MeriStar Hotels & Resorts, Inc., and to the
references to such opinion in such Joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus under
the captions "SUMMARY--Opinion of the financial advisor to Interstate" and "THE
MERGER--Opinion of the financial advisor to Interstate." In giving such consent,
we do not admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is
required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules
and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, nor do we
thereby admit that we are experts with respect to any part of such Registration
Statement within the meaning of the term "experts" as used in the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission thereunder.


                              MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED


                              By:  /s/  Todd L. Merkle
                                  ________________________________
                                        Todd L. Merkle
                                        Vice President



                  June 4, 2002